For the Christian right, who see the increasing secularization of America as the demise of all that is good and holy, the Fox News enabled imaginary "war on Christmas" is a way to "take their country back." It is all about in-your-face Christianity and as such, is really, a form of bullying directed towards Jews, atheists, and others who, in the minds of the Fox/Christian right, do not show the proper respect to Christian tradition. But for Fox, it's just another way to scapegoat those who aren't "one of us" as well as a way to reinforce the notion of constant Christian battle with the forces of darkness. So what better way to celebrate Christmas Eve than to push this bogus war on this morning's Fox & Friends where second stringer Kelly Wright provided a historical basis for the war on Christmas as documented by bizarro world historian Mike Huckabee whose DVD teaches kids that Christmas is all about God and country. There is rich irony in the Fox title of the video which asks "does the war on Christmas teach kids intolerance." The answer is "you betcha
The chyron reinforced the popular Christian right motif of constant battle with the forces of secularism, the chyron read, as Fox Fact, "Christmas Under Attack, Nativity Scenes, Religious Songs Targeted." Fox's second stringer Kelly Wright started with the requisite propaganda: "From nativity scenes being nixed to banning carols that mention the name Jesus Christ, Christmas has been under attack this year all across the country and that means, sadly, that some American children don't know the true story, history, and meaning of the holiday." He didn't provide any specifics of the "attacks." He introduced Brad Saft, the CEO of "Learn our History.com." Saft is a former Wall Street hedge fund guy who partnered with Fox's Mike Huckabee to sell revisionist history DVD's that promote right wing talking points and Christianity. His comment, that July 4th is a religious holiday, won him the honor of having the Newshounds "most outrageous comment of the week."
Wright asked the very scripted question of whether, in Saft's "studies," Christmas has come under attack." Saft made the claim that Christmas has always "been under attack" and spoke of how and Mike Huckabee did an animated film that traces the history of American Christmas. As I previously reported, the references to Cromwell's England are historically inaccurate but as this is propaganda who needs details! The chyron endorsed the DVD as "a great history lesson for all Americans." Saft said that Christmas is important because it's part of "our shared heritage" and because it's important, his company it giving away the DVD. Nothing was mentioned about how the Puritans banned Christmas.
Wright, a Protestant minister, wanted to "what we gain by understanding this history and the prominence of God in our society." In keeping with the belief system of the religious right, Saft preached that "God has been a tremendous part of what has made America the incredible country that is [So God was down with slavery, child labor, treatment of the native population, persecution of the Mormons...?] and sadly, too many children don't understand that." He spoke of how he and Huckabee are trying "to help young children understand the important faith based concepts that have been so critical throughout American history." (Establishment Clause not so much)
In keeping with Fox's ongoing Christian proselytizing efforts, Wright asked "what happens if we remove the equation of God, and Christ, and love for your fellow man...from American society?" (Uh, absolutely nothing?) Saft kept pushing the propaganda: "What has made this country such an exceptional nation is our faith, it's one of the key pillars of our nation, it is what inspired our founding fathers." He said that he and Huckabee are "trying to instill those values" through their history DVD's. Wright felt that this "is something all faiths can understand." (So screw you Jews, Hindus, Buddhists - it's all about the baby Jesus!)
So the war on Christmas is really all about the kids. How quaint. And "love for your fellow man" - on Fox News - in the War on Christmas - Seriously?
“And if you’re feeling smug that you get around all this stress by not celebrating Christmas because you are irreligious or practice a different religion, don’t worry, it still manages to mess you up, too! One study found that the presence of a Christmas tree in a room made non-Christians feel subconsciously excluded and less happy than when there were no signs of the holiday around. So by making you feel like an outsider, Christmas is making sure that everyone is equally depressed at this supposedly joyous time of year.”
The #4 reason is “Stress and Depression.” But I thought that passage (at the end of the reason) was particularly relevant and should be required reading by Bill O’Reilly and the rest of the Cafeteria Christian kkkrew at FoxNoise.
(Full list of reasons at http://www.cracked.com/blog/5-reasons-christmas-most-dangerous-time-year/ . The site is largely humorous but, every so often, it tackles serious subjects, although with a bit of tongue firmly planted in cheek.)
Any mouthpiece who takes on businesses for not saying Merry Christmas better make plans to work at another news organization.
Season Greetings to everyone at News Hounds, and to those who don’t agree with us. I wish all of you much happiness, love, peace and most importantly good health in the new year.
Some American children don’t want to know, because they’re not Christians. As for those that do, that’s what they have Christian parents or guardians for.
